I do not have diabetes, at least not that I am aware, however I think I have developed neuropathy and do not know what forum to go to. I know people with diabetes often suffer from neuropathy and was wondering if someone could give me some help or advice.

Here is my story:

In November I came down with a bad viral infection. I had fever, headaches, sore throat, muscle aches, night sweats, oral thrush, gingivitis, canker sores, and diahreah.

Anyway, about mid December I began having these strange feelings in my hands and feet and they have continued since then. My feet feel very cold most of the time and when they are not cold they feel like they are falling asleep almost. My feel also ache a lot and it feels better if I sit down and rub them for a while but as soon as I stand up and start walking for a long period of time, I really notice the aches in my feet. My legs feel very heavy at times and I find I cant do normal exercises such as running or even walking the same. Im 22 and athletic but I cant do the things I have been used to doing because of how my feet feel.

Also when I am taking a shower in warm water, my feet and hands feel 50 times better. It almost feels like nothing is wrong. But then I get out of the shower and 10 minuets later they go back to feeling very cold and achey. My hands are now starting to do the same thing as far as feeling cold and such.

Moreover, my hands and feet appear very blotchy, which has never happened before. This has started to occur within the past few weeks. Its not a rash but it looks as if there are little red blotchy red dots underneath my skin on my hands and the bottom of my feet. I also have heel pain in my right heel which is very uncomfortable most of the time. It seems to get a little better if I walk on it for a while but as soon as a take a rest and get up again, it goes back to hurting.

I would just like some opinion as to if this sounds like neuropathy.

Also could the neuropathy be due to a viral infection? If so, will it go away when the virus competely goes away or will it stay with me?

It scares me to think I will have this forever.

I have a doctors appt in 13 days but just wanted some opinion before I went in. If this is the wrong forum to be asking, could someone please point me to the right one. Sorry for the length of the post.

I don't know if you have neuropathy or not, but I have had some doozy viruses coursing through my system. Three times in my life now I have had viruses that have lasted MONTHS ... including low grade fever. Now that I'm a diabetic I HOPE I don't ever get one again because of how illness messes with my blood sugar, but I sure do know about how scary it is to have a virus and have BIZARRE things happen.

If you're still sick I wouldn't totally rule out a weird viral reaction ... but I'm glad you're getting it checked out.

Hi Karma, sorry about your health problem. Have you looked into Raynaud's Syndrome? I think some of what you're saying is similar to that. But remember that only a physician can diagnose these things Good luck and I hope it's not serious.

Do you guys know if there are any physical signs of neuropathy such as dry skin, blotchy hands and feet, discoloration, etc....or if it is just a feeling of your feet and hands falling asleep, tingling numbness, etc....